Water reservoir for a coffeemaker

ABSTRACT

A coffeemaker includes a housing and a water reservoir supported within the housing in a reservoir storage portion. A carafe is supported on a base portion of the housing. A spreader is mounted within the housing. The coffeemaker includes a hot water generator having an inlet connected to the water reservoir and an outlet connected to the spreader. The water reservoir includes a front wall having a handle extending outwardly therefrom for grasping by the user of the coffeemaker. The front wall is concave-shape to increase the space formed between the wall and confronting surface of the handle. The water reservoir is releasably latched into the storage portion of the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to drip coffeemakers and in particular to acoffeemaker water reservoir and support therefor.

Conventional automatic drip-type coffeemakers have enjoyed widespreaduse and commercial acceptance. Drip coffeemakers are a very popularconsumer small appliance. Such coffeemaker typically include a reservoirfor containing water, a hot water generator to heat the water, aspreader for receiving the hot water and a container or basket ("brewbasket") adapted to hold the coffee grind (generally in a filter) and toreceive the heated water. The heated water is directed by the spreaderonto the coffee grind contained in the brew basket. The brewed coffee isdrained from the brew basket through an aperture located at the bottomthereof into a carafe supported on a base portion of the housing.

Many coffeemakers include water reservoirs which are removable from thehousing. The user may remove the water reservoir to fill the same at asink or other remote location from the coffeemaker and then return thefilled water reservoir to the housing. Many of the reservoirs arecumbersome to handle after they have been filled with water. Moreover,many reservoirs do not include means for positively latching thereservoir to the base so that it is possible for the filled reservoir tobe accidentally knocked from its storage position within the housing ofthe coffeemaker.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to form a water reservoirfor a coffeemaker that is easily handled by the user after the waterreservoir is filled with water. Additionally, the water reservoir ispositively latched in its storage position within the housing of thecoffeemaker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing object and other objects of the invention are attained ina coffeemaker including a housing and a water reservoir supported withinthe housing in a reservoir storage portion thereof. A carafe issupported on a base portion of the housing. A spreader is mounted withinthe housing. A hot water generator has an inlet connected to the waterreservoir and an outlet connected to the spreader for delivering hotwater thereto. The water reservoir includes front, rear, side, top andbottom walls for defining an enclosed space for receiving water. Thefront wall includes a handle extending outwardly there from for graspingby the user of the coffeemaker.

In a preferred embodiment the handle is integrally molded with the frontwall and the front wall is concave-shape to increase the space formedbetween the wall and confronting surface of the handle.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, a slot is formed in the walldefining the storage portion of the housing. A depressable latch isprovided on the reservoir. Slot defining means includes a fingerdisposed forwardly of the slot and extending into the path of movementof the reservoir into the storage portion. The finger depresses thelatch as the reservoir is inserted into the storage portion. The latchis urged into the slot when the reservoir is fully inserted into thestorage portion of the housing for positively latching the reservoir inthe housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front, top and right side perspective view of a coffeemakerembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, partially broken away perspective view showingdetails of the coffeemaker when viewed from the front;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing details of thecoffeemaker when viewed from the rear;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in section, illustratingthe manner in which the coffeemaker is suspended from the lower surfaceof a cabinet;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the arrangement forsuspending the coffeemaker from the cabinet;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hot water generator andenclosure therefor employed in the coffeemaker;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view further illustrating the hot watergenerator and its enclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, somewhat similar to the view of FIG. 1,illustrating the removable water reservoir of the coffeemaker;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view in section, illustrating the waterreservoir mounted in the coffeemaker housing;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line of FIG. 11;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged top plan view illustrating details of the latchmechanism for the water reservoir;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a controlfor the heating elements of the coffeemaker; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the control.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the various figures of the drawing, there is disclosedpreferred embodiments of a coffeemaker embodying the present invention.In referring to the various figures of the drawing, like numerals shallrefer to like parts.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a coffeemaker10 particularly suitable for mounting under a kitchen cabinet or thelike in a manner that shall be more fully explained hereinafter.Coffeemaker 10 includes an outer housing 11 comprising a top wall 12,side walls 14 and bottom wall 16 and a rear wall 44. Each of the sidewalls 14 include a generally horizontally extending channel 30. Channel30 is somewhat tapered so that its leading end 32 is wider than itstrailing end 34.

Housing 11 is generally rectangularly shaped and includes an open frontface which telescopically receives an inner housing and supportstructure 19 for coffeemaker 10. Coffeemaker 10 is a generallyconventional automatic drip-type coffeemaker which has enjoyedwidespread use and commercial acceptance. Coffeemaker 10 typicallyincludes a reservoir 90 (illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9) for containingwater, a hot water generator 46 to heat the water, a spreader 27 forreceiving the hot water and a container or basket 28 (generally referredto as a "brew basket") adapted to hold the coffee grind (generally in afilter) and to receive the heated water. The heated water is directed bythe spreader onto the coffee grinds contained in the brew basket. Thebrewed coffee is drained from the brew basket through an aperturelocated at the bottom thereof into a carafe 18 (shown in phantom inFIG. 1) supported on base portion 20 of coffeemaker 10. Other than asshall be more fully explained hereinafter, the components of coffeemaker10 are conventional.

Inner housing 19 includes a door 22. Door 22 is pivotally attached tosupports 24 and 26 which are integrally formed with inner housing 19.Door 22 includes a generally rectangularly shaped opening 21 throughwhich control knobs or buttons, such as start button 23, may be accessedby the user. Reservoir 90 is mounted in coffeemaker 19 behind door 22when door 22 is in its closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.When the door is moved to an open position as illustrated in FIG. 8,reservoir 90 can be either removed from or moved into compartment 29formed in inner housing 19.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the mounting arrangement forcoffeemaker 10 shall now be more fully described. Side walls 14 of outerhousing 11 include a horizontally extending channel 30. Channel 30 has aleading end 32 and a trailing end 34. The width of leading end 32 issomewhat greater than the width of trailing end 34. As shownspecifically in FIG. 4, the upper wall 31 defining channel 30 has anopening 42 formed therethrough for a reason to be more fully explainedhereinafter.

Coffeemaker 10 is designed for mounting beneath the lower surface 36 ofa kitchen cabinet 33. Mounting bracket 35 is preferably employed tosuspend coffeemaker 10 from kitchen cabinet 33. Bracket 35 includes amain support frame 40. Support frame 40 includes a horizontallyextending rib 38 defining the upper face of bracket 35. A finger 37extends upwardly from the trailing end of rib 38. As illustrated in FIG.4, the upper face of rib 38 lies generally flush with the bottom surfaceof the lower surface 36 of kitchen cabinet 33. Similarly, finger 37 liesflush with the front surface 39 of cabinet 33.

Bracket 35 includes a rail member 43 which extends into channel 30. Railmember 43 includes an upwardly extending latch member 41 which isintended for alignment with and insertion into opening 42 of upper wall31 defining channel 30. Channel 30 is tapered to permit rail 43 ofbracket 35 to be readily inserted into the channel. The leading end 49of rail 43 is somewhat smaller in width than the trailing end 51.Leading end 49 is first inserted into the leading end 32 of channel 30and housing 11 is then moved relative to the rail to align latch member41 with opening 42. When so aligned, finger 37 is flush with frontsurface 39 of cabinet 33. The coffeemaker is then anchored in placerelative to cabinet 33. Bracket 35 in combination with channel 30prevents unintended fore and aft movement, and unintended verticalupward or vertical downward movement of the coffeemaker relative to thecabinet. The interlocking relationship between bracket leading end 49and the enclosed end of housing channel 30, together with theinterlocking relationship between latch member 41 and housing opening 42prevent any relative lateral movement between bracket 35 and housing 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is disclosed a preferredembodiment of hot water generator 46 employed with coffeemaker 10. Itshould be understood, however, that hot water generator 46 may be usedwith coffeemakers of other designs.

Hot water generator 46, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, is generally mountedat the rear of inner housing 19 in a generally horizontal plane.Generator 46 includes an inlet conduit 52 having an elastomeric couplingor elbow 50 formed therearound. Inlet conduit 52 is in communicationwith outlet 108 from water reservoir 90 as shown in FIG. 9. Generator 46further includes a relatively shallow V-shaped metallic tube 48 throughwhich water flows from inlet 52 to an outlet 54. Outlet 54 is incommunication with the inlet to spreader 27.

Hot water generator 46 further includes an axially extending electricresistance heater 58. Heater 58 includes a thermostat 56 which sensesthe temperature developed within tube 48 of generator 46 and opens whenthe temperature exceeds a predetermined level. Electrical wires 61 and61A connect heater 58 to a suitable source of electrical power. It hasbeen found that by shaping hot water generator tube 48 in a shallowV-shape, the temperature of the hot water delivered from generator tube48 will be substantially consistent which, in turn, results in thebrewed coffee having a consistent taste from one brewing cycle to thenext.

Pump style hot water generators, such as generator tube 48 use theaction of expansion and contraction of the generated steam incombination with the check valve in the outlet 108 from reservoir 90 tomove heated water to the generator outlet 54 and spreader 27. Theshallow "V" shaped generator tube 48 of the present invention uniquelytakes advantage of the inherent characteristics of the generated steamto obtain substantially consistent high temperature water for brewingpurposes.

Generally, in hot water generators employed in pump-type coffeemakers,the majority of water heating occurs by initial localized boiling, thenthe bulk of the water is heated by exposure to and condensing ofcirculating steam pockets. As steam is less dense than water, somecontrol of the migration of the steam pockets formed in generator tube48 is possible.

Steam pockets formed in relatively cool water will quickly cool toboiling temperature and violently collapse as they condense (change froma vaporous to liquid state). The violent collapse of the pockets willcause water to quickly flow from the direction of least hydraulicresistance to fill the void formed by the collapsed pockets. Steampockets formed in relatively hot water will cool slowly while movingwhere buoyant forces direct them. If given sufficient time, these latterpockets will also condense.

"V" shaped generator tube 48 directs the steam pockets towards the twoextreme ends of the heated tube. The major heat transfer betweenresistance heater 58 and tube 48 occurs towards the center of the tube.

Steam migrating towards outlet 54 which contains freshly heated water islikely to remain in its vaporous state for a substantial portion of itspassage to spreader 27. This provides a subtle force to move the watertowards the spreader and a moving supply of heat should the temperatureof the water cool much below 212° F. The more steam that is directedwith the water to spreader 27, the closer the temperature of the waterwill be maintained near 212° F.

Steam pockets migrating towards inlet 52 whereat the temperature of thewater is significantly colder, will condense more rapidly and thepockets will abruptly collapse. The voids left by the collapsed pocketswill attempt to draw water from both ends of tube 48.

If a majority portion of the water flowing towards the voids comes fromreservoir 90, the temperature of the water in tube 48 tends to be colderand the pockets will collapse near the center of the tube. Conversely,if the temperature of the water in tube 48 is relatively warm, the steampockets will migrate towards inlet 52 before collapsing. Thus, if thetemperature of the water in tube 48 increases, the water flow fromreservoir 90 will increase as the voids will be closer to inlet 52. Inessence, by shaping tube 48 in a shallow V-shape, steam pockets willflow towards both inlet 52 and outlet 54 to provide a relatively hightemperature water supply to spreader 27 at a smooth flow rate and withinherent self temperature regulation. Some design variations in thetemperature of the water delivered to spreader 27 can be made bytailoring the lengths and the slopes of the legs of the "V."

Tube 48 is housed in an enclosure 60 which is generally rectangularlyshaped. Enclosure 60 comprises a first member 62 and a second member 64.Member 62 includes a first vertically extending section 76 and a secondhorizontally extending section 78. Section 78 terminates in a generallyvertically extending flange 75. Vertical section 76 which may beconsidered a front wall includes a partial side wall 82 extendingtherefrom. A wall similar to wall 82 (not shown) extends from theopposite end of section 76. Walls 82 include a generally semi-circularend portion.

Member 64 includes a generally vertically extending section 86 which isparallel to and spaced from section 76 of member 62. Attached to thelower end of section 86 is a generally horizontally extending section88. Section 88 is parallel to and spaced from section 78 of member 62.Sidewalls 80 and 84 extend from the ends of section 86 and combine withwalls 82 to form the side walls of the enclosure. Walls 80 and 84 havenotches 85 and 87 formed respectively therein. The notches combine withthe semi-circular end of each of the walls 82 to accommodate tube 48.Member 76 includes downwardly extending tabs 66 and 68 which passthrough slots 70 and 72 formed in member 88. The combination of the tabsand slots enable portions 62 and 64 to be readily joined. Flanges 74 and75 are placed in facing relation and a suitable connector is insertedthrough slot 89 in flange 74 to join the two flanges together. The thusformed enclosure 60 encapsulates hot water generating tube 48.

Walls 76, 78, 86 and 88 form the top, bottom, front and rear walls ofthe enclosure and are spaced from the surface of hot water tube 48. Theonly contact points between the tube and the enclosure are at the endswhere the tube passes through the side walls defined by portions 82, 80and 84. The foregoing maintains the contact area between the outersurface of tube 48 and the walls of enclosure 60 at a minimum. Thisresults in the heat developed by the generator being maintained, for themost part, within the enclosure. By retaining the heat within enclosure60, other parts of the coffeemaker are not subjected to such heat whichwill prolong their effective operating life. Further, since thermostat56 senses the temperature of the hot water generator, the thermostatwill remain open for a longer period of time before reclosing if heat isretained within the enclosure rather than emitted via radiation,convection and conduction to other components of the coffeemaker. Thisis of particular importance in coffeemakers of the type disclosed in thepresent application which utilize a separate heater to warm the coffeedelivered into the carafe.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 8-11, it will be noted that reservoir 90 isinserted into a compartment 29 formed at the front of coffeemaker 10 andwithin housing 19. Reservoir 90 is removable from compartment 29. Thereservoir includes sidewall 96, top wall 92 and front wall 98. Top wall92 includes a generally rectangularly shaped opening 94 through whichwater can be delivered when it is desired to brew coffee. Front wall 98is concave shaped and includes an integrally molded handle 100. Theconcave shape of wall 98 enables the user to comfortably grasp handle100 for maneuvering the reservoir to and from the source of water suchas a kitchen faucet. The foregoing is particularly advantageous when thereservoir has been filled with water and is somewhat heavy andcumbersome to transport.

The top front face 99 of housing 19 includes a rectangularly shaped slot104. Reservoir 90 includes a depressible latch 102. Latch 102 includes alatch button 103 and a return spring 105. As shown specifically in FIGS.10 and 11, latch button 103 is urged upwardly by a force provided byspring 105. Button 103 has a pair of spaced spring fingers 107 whichmaintains latch 102 in compartment 101A defined by flange 101. Avertically extending rib 109 insures that fingers 107 are forcedoutwardly in compartment 101A.

Slot 104 has a downwardly extending finger or rib 106 provided at itsforward end in the path of movement of latch 102 as reservoir 90 isinserted into compartment 91. Latch button 103 engages finger 106 and isdepressed thereby to enable the reservoir to be inserted within thecompartment. After the latch moves forwardly out of engagement withfinger 104, the latch is urged upwardly by spring 105.

When the user desires to remove reservoir 90 from compartment 29, theuser depresses latch button 103 to compress spring 105. The foregoinglowers latch 102 beneath finger 106 to enable the user to withdrawreservoir 90 from compartment 29.

Resistance heater 58 for hot water generator 46 may deliver anywherefrom 800 to 1000 watts to heat the water flowing through tube 48. Somemodels of coffeemakers utilize the same heater for heating the hot waterto also maintain the temperature of the brewed coffee in the carafe at adesired temperature for a period of time after the coffee has beenbrewed. The heat developed by an 800-1000 watt heater far exceeds theheat necessary to maintain the temperature of the coffee in a carafe ata satisfactory level for consumption purposes.

Some models of present day coffeemakers utilize a separate heater, forexample 50 to 80 watts, for maintaining the temperature of the coffee inthe carafe at the desired level, known as a "keeps warm" heater.However, even the use of a separate heater for the "keep warm" functionhas not been totally satisfactory, particularly when used withcoffeemakers having the capability to brew greater or lesser amounts ofcoffee, e.g. one to four cups and five to ten cups.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is schematically disclosed a firstembodiment of a control for adjusting the heat generated by the "keepwarm" heater so that it is compatible with the quantity of coffeeretained in the carafe or variable to suit the particular tastes of aconsumer.

Control 110 is connected to a suitable source of power represented bylines 112 and 114 via electrical plug 111. Line 112 is the "hot" lineand line 114 is the "neutral" line. Electrical power flows through line112 to terminal 112A and then through conductor 116 to main power switch118. If switch 118 is closed electricity flows through conductor 115 tojunction 117. Conductor 115 is electrically connected to conductor 130which, in turn, is connected to diode 120. Diode 120 is electricallyconnected to terminal 126 of switch 122. Switch 122 further includesterminals 124, 128 and 130. When switch 122 is placed across terminals124 and 126, the flow of electricity is interrupted. When switch 122 isplaced across terminals 126 and 128, current is supplied via conductor131 to terminal 112B. If switch 122 is placed across terminals 128 and130, diode 120 is shunted and electricity flows directly from conduit115 to terminal 112B.

Electrical power also flows from junction 117 through conductor 133 toterminal 112C. Terminal 112C is in continuous electrical connection withterminal 112F. Terminal 112E is in electrical contact with terminal112B. Terminal 112E is electrically connected through conductor 139 toelectrical heater 140. Terminal 112F is electrically connected throughconductor 141 to heater 138. Heaters 138 and 140 are electricallyconnected in parallel. In turn the heaters are electrically connectedvia conductor 143 to neutral terminal 114D which, in turn, is connectedto neutral terminal 114C. Terminal 114C is electrically connected toterminals 114B and 114A to complete the electrical circuit. Conductor117A connects terminals 114A and B.

Terminal 112G is electrically connected to terminal 112D. Conductor 119is electrically connected to conductor 115. Conductor 119 is connectedto conductor 149 through a parallel circuit alternatively comprisingnormally open switch 142 or diode 144. In turn, terminal 112G isconnected via conduit 147 to thermostat 56, a thermal overload fuse 134and hot water generator heater 58. Heater 58 is connected to neutralterminal 114C via conduit 132. Neutral terminal 114C is connected toterminals 114B and 114A to complete the electrical circuit.

In use, when the user desires to brew coffee, and with reference to thecontrol disclosed in FIG. 12, the user connects cord 111 to the sourceof electrical power and closes switch 118. Electrical power flowsthrough conduits 112, 116, and 118 to junction 117. If the user isbrewing a relatively full pot of coffee, switch 142 is closed andelectrical power is supplied via conduit 119, switch 142 and conduit 149to terminal 112C. Power then flows through terminal 112G, thermostat 56,thermal overload protector 134 to heater 58 which generates the heat toraise the temperature of the water passing through hot water generator46 to a desired temperature level.

If the user is brewing a lesser batch of coffee, for example one to fourcups, then switch 142 is maintained open and electrical power flowsthrough diode 144 which provides half wave rectification. The half waverectified electrical power flows through conduit 149 to terminal 112Cand thereafter passes to heater 58. If heater 58 is rated at 900 wattsunder full power, its rating when diode 144 is in the circuit isapproximately one half that or 450 watts.

Once the coffee has been brewed, the user may not immediately drink allthe coffee and thus coffee remains in the carafe to be kept warm by the"keep warm" heater. In the preferred embodiment heater 138 is rated at52 watts and heater 140 is rated at 28 watts.

If a relatively small quantity of coffee remains to be warmed in thecarafe, the user moves switch 122 to the low position. With switch 122connected across the terminals 124 and 126, heater 140 is effectivelyremoved from the electrical power circuit. Thus, only heater 138operates to provide heat for the "keep warm" function.

However, if a greater quantity of heat is required due to the quantityof coffee in the carafe being at a higher level, then the user may optto place switch 122 in either the medium or high positions. If switch122 is placed in its medium position, it is placed across terminals 126and 128 as illustrated in FIG. 12. In this position, the electricalpower flows through diode 120 and thence through terminals 126 and 128to heater 140. Diode 120 effectively reduces the rated wattage, forexample 28 watts, in half. If heater 138 is rated at 52 watts and heater140 rated at 28 watts then the total wattage output when diode 120 is inthe circuit is approximately 66 watts.

Finally, if the user desires the maximum level of heat for the "keepwarm" function, switch 122 is placed in its high position whereby theswitch connects terminals 128 and 130. In this position, diode 120 iseffectively removed from the circuit and full wave voltage supply isfurnished to heater 140. Current flows through contacts 130 and 128,112B and 112E to heater 140. Further, electrical power is furnished toheater 138 through contacts 112D and 112F. The fully rated wattage forexample 80 watts is used for the "keep warm" function.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is disclosed an alternative embodimentto the control described in FIG. 12 for regulating the operation of the"keep warm" function.

Control 210 includes conductors 212 and 214 which are connected to asource of electrical power via supply cord 211. Conductor 212 is labeledthe "hot" line and conductor 214 is labeled the "neutral" line.Conductor 212 delivers electrical power to terminals 212A which, inturn, provides power to main power switch 216. When closed, switch 216delivers electrical power via conductor 217 to buss 218.

Buss 218 is electrically connected to a light 219, which when lit,indicates that electrical power is furnished to the coffeemaker. Buss218 is also electrically connected to terminals 220A, 222A, and 224A.Terminal 220A in turn is connected to terminal 220B; terminal 222A isconnected to 222B and terminal 224A is connected to conductor 224 and tonormally open switch 226.

Terminal 220B is connected via conductor 242 to a thermostat 240 and a"keep warm" heater 238. In the preferred embodiment heater 238 is ratedat 80 watts. Heater 238 is connected via conductor 244 to terminal 214Cwhich is a neutral terminal connected to terminal 214A and conductor214.

Switch 226 is connected to terminals 228 and 228B and then via conductor230 to heater 238. Thus, electrical power is alternatively delivered toheater 238 via the circuitry associated respectively with conductors 230and/or 242.

Terminal 222A is connected to terminal 222B and then via conductor 244to thermostat 56, thermal overload protector 234, hot water generatorheater 58 and conductor 246 to neutral terminal 214B. Terminal 214B, inturn, is connected to terminal 214A and neutral conductor 214.

In operation, when switch 216 is closed, electrical power is deliveredvia conductors 212 and 214 to buss 218. Buss 218 provides electricalpower to conductor 244 through terminals 222A and 222B. Electrical poweris then delivered to hot water generator 58 to provide hot water forbrewing process.

Further, when it is desired to utilize the "keep warm" function, switch226 may either be closed or open. If switch 226 is open, power isdelivered from buss 218 through terminals 220A and 220B to thermostat240 and thence to heater 238. Thermostat 240 can be set at a selectedtemperature. Thermostat 240 senses the temperature at base 20 and may beset to obtain a lower temperature when a lesser quantity of coffeeremains in the carafe or a selectable lower temperature to satisfy theindividual taste of a consumer. The contacts of thermostat 240 will openwhen the sensed temperature at base 20 reaches the predetermined levelto discontinue operation of heater 238.

If maximum heat is desired for the "keep warm" function as a consequenceof the carafe being relatively filled with coffee, switch 226 is closed.Electrical power is then delivered through terminals 228A and 228B, andconductor 230 to heater 238. The wattage available from the heater willthen be continuously delivered for the "keep warm" function. Thermostat240 is effectively shorted from the circuit.

With either of the two controls described above, operation of the "keepwarm" heater is selectively controlled so that the heat generated by theheater is compatible with the quantity of coffee remaining in the carafefor which the "keep warm" function is required.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedand illustrated, the invention should not be limited thereto but may beotherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coffeemaker comprising:a housing includingmeans defining a reservoir storage portion; a removable water reservoirsupported within the housing in said reservoir storage portion; a carafesupported on a base portion of the housing; a spreader mounted withinthe housing; a hot water generator having an inlet conduit connected tothe water reservoir and an outlet conduit connected to the spreader; andsaid water reservoir including front, rear, side, top and bottom wallsfor defining an enclosed space for receiving water, said front wallincluding a handle extending outwardly therefrom for grasping by theuser of the coffeemaker, said front wall being concave-shaped toincrease the space formed between the wall and confronting surface ofthe handle.
 2. A coffeemaker in accordance with claim 1 wherein thehandle is integrally molded with the front wall.
 3. A coffeemaker inaccordance with claim 2 wherein the reservoir storage portion of thehousing includes a wall adjacent to the reservoir when the reservoir issupported in the housing, said wall including means defining a slotformed there through, said reservoir including depressable latch means,said slot defining means including a finger disposed forwardly of saidslot and extending into a path of movement of said reservoir into saidhousing storage portion for depressing said latch means to enable saidreservoir to be inserted into said storage portion, said latch meansbeing urged into said slot when said reservoir is fully inserted intothe storage portion of the housing.
 4. A coffeemaker in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the reservoir storage portion of the housing includes awall adjacent to the reservoir when the reservoir is supported in thehousing, said wall including means defining a slot formed there through,said reservoir including depressable latch means, said slot definingmeans including a finger disposed forwardly of said slot and extendinginto a path of movement of said reservoir into said housing storageportion for depressing said latch means to enable said reservoir to beinserted into said storage portion, said latch means being urged intosaid slot when said reservoir is fully inserted into the storage portionof the housing.
 5. A coffeemaker comprising:a housing; a water reservoirremovably supported within the housing in a reservoir storage portion ofthe housing; a carafe supported on a base portion of the housing; aspreader mounted within the housing; a hot water generator having aninlet conduit connected to the water reservoir and an outlet conduitconnected to the spreader; and said housing including a wall adjacentthe reservoir when the reservoir is supported in the storage portion ofthe housing, said wall including means defining a slot formed therethrough, said reservoir including depressable latch means, said slotdefining means including a finger disposed forwardly of said slot andextending into a path of movement of said reservoir into said housingstorage portion for depressing said latch means to enable said reservoirto be inserted into said storage portion of said housing, said latchmeans being urged into said slot when said reservoir is fully insertedinto the storage portion of the housing.